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πŸ”Š Noise Ordinances/Decibel Limits

Decibel Limits: San Francisco vs San Jose

How do decibel limits rules compare between San Francisco, CA and San Jose, CA?

San Francisco and San Jose have similar restriction levels.

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco County

Heavy Restrictions

San Francisco Police Code Section 2909 sets specific dBA limits at the property line: 55 daytime and 50 nighttime in residential zones, scaling up to 70/65 in heavy industrial. Any source exceeding ambient by more than 5 dBA is a violation.

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San Jose, CA

Santa Clara County

Heavy Restrictions

San Jose enforces numeric decibel limits under Municipal Code Chapter 20.100, with residential zones capped at 55 dBA daytime and 50 dBA nighttime measured at the receiving property line. Commercial and industrial zones carry higher ceilings. Exceedances of 5 dBA for any 15-minute period trigger violation, and sustained exceedances prompt Code Enforcement action.

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Key Facts Comparison

FactSan FranciscoSan Jose
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San Francisco FAQ

San Jose FAQ

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